The dietary supplements industry is set to be worth $230.7 Billion by 2027 and it’s incredibly competitive. But that didn’t stop actress and producer, Tia Mowry-Hardrict from disrupting the space.
After years of enduring migraines, eczema, and skin concerns, Mowry was finally diagnosed with endometriosis—1 in 10 women in the US suffer from the painful condition. Determined to heal her body, Mowry changed her diet, ditching dairy, refined sugars, and processed foods to astounding results (she even wrote a best-selling book about it).
This diet change also inspired her latest venture, Anser—an affordable supplements line designed to encourage women to take charge and control of their health as she has.
Needless to say, Mowry is an inspiration to us all both in business and in health. And we all know that the secret to success starts in the AM. So we tapped the entrepreneur to share her morning routine with three things we can all do every morning to set ourselves up for success and to maintain wellness (and sanity) in quarantine, including the supplements she swears by!
Photo: Jack Strutz
CREATE & CULTIVATE: Can you share your morning routine? What sets your day up for success?
TIA MOWRY: I like to wake up early, before the kids, so I can go through emails, maybe get a workout in, have a nice meditation, and then start my day! When the kids wake up, we hang out in my bed until it’s time to make breakfast. Afterward, I take my Anser vitamins (women’s multi, beauty, and elderberry) which help me get through the day. I also make sure I drink at least one liter of water in the morning. Then I get the kids ready so Cree can start his schoolwork from home and Cairo can do her Montessori activities—all this happens before 10 AM! It’s a whirlwind, but I love it.
What advice do you have for carving out a morning routine that includes self-care?
Meditate on the idea that “self-care isn’t selfish”—once you see why you’re doing what you’re doing (or what you want to be doing), that will motivate you to create a routine, and once self-care becomes habitual, you’ll reap the benefits before you even know it.
For those of us who are starting to create a morning routine, what are three things you recommend everyone does each AM to start the day off on the right foot?
Drink water! Many people go for coffee right away in the morning, but that can dehydrate you and leave you feeling fatigued. When I drink water at the beginning of the day, I find that my energy levels are so much better. It’s also great for your skin—dilutes the toxins right out of your body!
Exercise! It has so many benefits: boosts energy, keeps you strong, increases immunity, etc. It also wakes me up in the morning and gets my endorphins going so I can tackle the day ahead.
Don’t forget your supplements! When I take mine, I feel balanced, and if I forget, I definitely feel the difference. Anser now has products for the whole family, which target different areas so everybody can get the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. The newest formulas help with stress, sleep, food cravings, and healthy digestion.
Can you share some strategies/self-care rituals you do to reduce stress and anxiety? Any supplements you recommend too would be so helpful.
Meditation has been very helpful for me. It gets you to focus on your breathing, which calms your nervous system down. Exercise is also great; a quick ten-minute run or stretch session has helped me de-stress many times. But my favorite stress reliever is playing with my children. They just bring me so much joy! After a rough day, there’s nothing better than focusing on what really matters.
As for supplements, Anser just came out with an elderberry formula, which also contains vitamin C and zinc—all three are great for immunity! When you’re stressed, Anser has also recently released a great new "Healthy Mood" supplement that is perfect to have on-hand when life's inevitable anxieties start piling on.
What is your best nutrition advice for those of us who want to eat better and take care of ourselves? How can we be healthier on a busy schedule?
The key is to start with a mindset. Your mind controls your behavior, so make the decision to make nutrition a priority. It’s part of self-care; you’re eating well to feel good. When you look at it that way, it motivates you.
I also recommend prepping your meals as much as possible. The more practical it is, the more success you’ll have, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. That doesn’t mean you need to make all of your meals for the week in a day, though that’s one way to do it. Another way is to get things that are already cooked or chopped or pre-washed so that when you start the cooking process, it’s not overwhelming. When I cook, I like to make enough vegetables for 2-3 days and then add a protein, fish, or chicken usually.
And to keep it from getting too repetitive, I change up the way I prepare my dishes: use panko, add some Asian flair with sesame oil and soy sauce, or just bake it… Be versatile! Try using fresh herbs, like dill with salmon or parsley with tomatoes. The trick is to make the process and the food enjoyable so that you stick to a healthy routine.
What are some food staples I should always have in the pantry to cook healthy food for myself and my family?
Olive oil, chicken stock, a variety of nuts for healthy snacking, white wine or sherry vinegar, brown or wild rice, and oatmeal—you can do so many things with oatmeal (I’m actually planning to make oatmeal cookies this weekend)!
What are some tips to get picky children to eat well? What supplements do you recommend?
Hide the healthy foods in something you already know they enjoy. If I want Cairo to eat greens, I throw spinach or avocado in a smoothie or add pureed broccoli to mashed potatoes, which she loves. She also loves pancakes, so I’ll make those with sweet potatoes.
I highly recommend the Anser kids gummies! Not only are they packed with all the vitamins kids need, but they also taste amazing—Cree asks for them every morning and Cairo always wants more!
What recipes can I cook in bulk and freeze for the week?
I recommend my slow cooker chili [youtube.com] that I made on QUICK FIX or a side dish like these mashed potatoes [facebook.com] from the COMFORT KITCHEN episode I did with my Family Reunion castmate Talia! Pasta also works, so try out the beef stroganoff [facebook.com] I made with my brothers or this cheesy pasta bake [youtube.com].
Anything else you’d like to add, new launches etc.
Anser recently launched several new products including a men’s multivitamin, gummies for kids, immunity-boosting elderberry, digestive comfort, healthy mood, healthy weight, and restful sleep formulas. I’m really excited about all that because now the whole family can share a healthy habit. And keep a lookout for our new immunity products coming out in time for the Fall."
Hear more about Tia Mowry’s career journey at the Self-Care & Beauty Summit on July 25. There are still some tickets available so get them now before they sell out!
Visit, createcultivate.com/beauty-summit-digital
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